In 2000 Neri Karra, founded her Italian leather handbags and accessories label, with the desire to create functional, practical and outstanding quality products that are superbly crafted.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream, starting with a childhood spent enthralled by coloured textiles, jewels and treasuring old copies of Vogue, as escape into a beautiful, other world, Karra has created not only a fashion company, but also a family run business that creates elegant, stylish pieces which stand the test of time. With a global following already, 2014 sees the Neri Karra brand enter the UK market.

Education is an area of particular passion to her. Having completed a PhD in Management at Cambridge University, authored two books and lectured at leading universities around the world, Karra strives to maintain her educational links as a way to give back and inspire students starting on their journeys today. She continues to teach at the Conde Nast College and other fashion institutes in London.

Q&A

WITH NERI KARRA

HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN COMPANY?

When you start to build your own company, you have to first look inside and ask what you are about. I believe the creation has to come from that authenticity and self-realization. I like to create things. Whether it is creating a school, creating a collection, writing a paper. That's what I like to do. I like to create things with great love.

ARE YOU A PERFECTIONIST?

While I know there is no such things as ultimate perfectionism, I do even the smallest task with great care and with great passion. To me work is an act of love. To me perfectionism means something different. I ignore success, but pursue excellence. So, perhaps you could say that it is the quest for excellence that makes my products absolutely precise and of outstanding quality. I am involved in all the operation from A to Z; source every single leather skin myself, and will never let anything leave my factory without my approval, which is why every single item has my signature inside - it says "Neri Karra".

WHAT SYMBOLISES YOUR BRAND?

London-inspired creativity, Italian quality and superb craftsmanship. This is what symbolizes Neri Karra.